The Alabama RBA

December 2006

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

Previous RBA Page :  Alabama RBA for November, 2006

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for January, 2007

Please send records with appropriate details to: Greg D. Jackson, 2220 Baneberry Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244.

The following may be called for information: on birding in Alabama, Greg Jackson at 205/987-2855; about the Alabama Ornithological Society, Charles Kennedy at 334/382-2680; about the Birmingham Audubon Society, Ann Miller at 205/879-7709; about the Shoals Audubon Society in n.w. Alabama, Bill Rogers at 256/766-5738; about the Tennessee Valley Audubon Society in Huntsville, Ruby Norman at 256/773-4369; about the Coastal Birding Association, Venetia Friend at 334/928-4437.

RBA

*Alabama
*Statewide
*December 24, 2006
*ALST0612.24

=====================================
--- Species added since last report ---
=====================================

Ross’s Goose
CACKLING GOOSE
Tundra Swan
Common Merganser
Red-throated Loon
Great Black-backed Gull
American Tree Sparrow

=====================================
--- Species previously reported ---

WESTERN GREBE

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Please note: Species CAPITALIZED above are on the Alabama Bird Records Committee review list. Check the AOS website (address below - look in ABRC section) for forms and suggestions on how to submit your sightings of these species to the state database.

Written details, photos, recordings, etc. are highly desired for ABRC Review List species and should be sent to:

Greg D. Jackson
2220 Baneberry Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244
g_d_jackson@bellsouth.net
Fax: 205/987-5167
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alabama Ornithological Society website:
http://www.bham.net/aos/

Alabama RBA archives:
http://www.tvas.org/rba.htm

NABT = North Alabama Birding Trail (http://www.northalabamabirdingtrail.com/)
ACBT = Alabama Coastal Birding Trail (http://www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com/)

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert
Date: December 24, 2006
Number: 256/751-4788
Compiler: Steve W. McConnell
Email: swmavocet@aol.com

NOTE: Where possible, DeLorme Alabama Atlas coordinates [DeAL xx-xx] are provided following each site description. Page references to the AOS Birder's Guide to Alabama [BGtA p. xx] will also be included for birding locations sites described therein.

Alabama Rare Bird Report – Sunday, December 24, 2006.

An immature TUNDRA SWAN found 12/11 continued through at least 12/16 at Limestone Bay on Wheeler NWR. The swan comes and goes from the north end of the bay and apparently feeds in nearby green fields. Up to 18 ROSS’S have been counted recently in the wintering Snow Goose flock. Two CACKLING GEESE were also found 12/16 during the Wheeler Refuge CBC.[DeAL 18-F5&G4][BGtA p. 240-244]

Two female COMMON MERGANSERS and a RED-THROATED LOON were found 12/19 on Bear Creek north of the Riverton Rose Trail in northwestern Colbert County. The location was out from the TVA campground just east of the Buchanan Peninsula. [DeAL 16-C3][BGtA p. 217-219]

Another ROSS’S GOOSE has been present since late November at the Donavan Lakes Fish club south of Marion. This is a private club but birders are welcome to come view the bird. The gate is usually open each day of the week except Tuesday. Birders may call the manager, Thomas Wilson, in the evenings at 334/683-6389 for the latest access information. To reach the club, follow AL 5 south from Marion for 4.0 miles and turn left (east) on County 38. Go 2.1 miles to the gate and sign on the left at the large flag. Parking areas are provided at the lakes. [DeAL 43-B7]

An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was reported at the Birmingham CBC compilation 12/23. The location was at the Elder Street crossing over Shades Creek south of Irondale. Results of searches for this bird would be appreciated. [DeAL 31-E6]

A WESTERN GREBE was seen again 12/13 on Lake Eufaula north of W.F. George Dam in Henry County. The grebe was very distant that day. The best vantage point to look for this rarity would be from the west side of the dam itself. The access road is the first road east of the County 97 and 46 intersection. The road widens a bit right before the turn down to the fishing access and there is room to park. If the gate to this road happens to be closed, you can also see most of the lake from the dam's Georgia side by traveling east through Ft. Gaines and then north on GA 39 to the east side access road. Updates on this bird would be appreciated. [DeAL 54-G5][BGtA p. 95]

Two adult GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS were found 12/16 at the west end of Dauphin Island near the “Katrina” cut. [DeAL 64-B3&4][BGtA p. 6-12]

The following may be called for information:
Alabama Ornithological Society: Stan Hamilton (205/951-5630)
Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center hotline: (205/621-3333)

Please leave messages about new birds and feedback on reported species after the tone. Sighting information, and requests for regular email transcripts, can be submitted by email to:
swmavocet@aol.com

Thank you.

-End Transcript

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RBA

*Alabama

*Statewide

*December 11, 2006

*ALST0612.11

=====================================

--- Species added since last report ---

=====================================

WESTERN GREBE

Allen’s Hummingbird

=====================================

--- Species previously reported ---

Pacific Loon

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please note: Species CAPITALIZED above are on the Alabama Bird Records Committee review list. Check the AOS website (address below - look in ABRC section) for forms and suggestions on how to submit your sightings of these species to the state database.

Written details, photos, recordings, etc. are highly desired for ABRC Review List species and should be sent to:

Greg D. Jackson

2220 Baneberry Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244

g_d_jackson@bellsouth.net

Fax: 205/987-5167

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alabama Ornithological Society website:

http://www.bham.net/aos/

Alabama RBA archives:

http://www.tvas.org/rba.htm

NABT = North Alabama Birding Trail (http://www.northalabamabirdingtrail.com/)

ACBT = Alabama Coastal Birding Trail (http://www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com/)

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert

Date: December 11, 2006

Number: 256/751-4788

Compiler: Steve W. McConnell

Email: swmavocet@aol.com

NOTE: Where possible, DeLorme Alabama Atlas coordinates [DeAL xx-xx] are provided following each site description. Page references to the AOS Birder's Guide to Alabama [BGtA p. xx] will also be included for birding locations sites described therein.

Alabama Rare Bird Report – Monday, December 11, 2006.

A WESTERN GREBE was discovered 12/6 on Lake Eufaula north of W.F. George Dam in Henry County. This rarity was relocated and studied most of the day 12/9. On 12/10 a bird resembling a Western was too far away to identify for sure. The best vantage point to look for this rarity would be from the west side of the dam itself. The access road is the first road east of the County 97 and 46 intersection. The road widens a bit right before the turn down to the fishing access and there is room to park. If the gate to this road happens to be closed, you can also see most of the lake from the dam's Georgia side by traveling east through Ft. Gaines and then north on GA 39 to the east side access road. Updates on this bird would be appreciated. [DeAL 54-G5][BGtA p. 95]

A PACIFIC LOON continued 12/9 in the river channel north of Lurleen Wallace Drive and the Kiwanas Pier between US 431 and AL 69 in Guntersville. [DeAL 25-A&B10][BGtA p. 258].

An immature male ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD was banded 12/5 in Irondale east of Birmingham. The location is the Remy residence at 5720 Annanadale Lane near the intersection of Grants Mill Road (County 143) and Overton Road (County 62) about 1.0 south of I-459. There is no need to call before trying to see this bird but please be considerate of the hosts and visit during reasonable hours. The home has two feeders, one in front and one in back. This bird seems to prefer the front feeder but both may be seen from the short, steep driveway. This bird has recently molted two retrices and a green back. The gorget is filling out nicely! [DeAL 31-E7]

The following may be called for information:

Alabama Ornithological Society: Stan Hamilton (205/951-5630)

Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center hotline: (205/621-3333)

Please leave messages about new birds and feedback on reported species after the tone. Sighting information, and requests for regular email transcripts, can be submitted by email to:

swmavocet@aol.com

Thank you.

-End Transcript

RBA

*Alabama

*Statewide

*December 3, 2006

*ALST0612.03

=====================================

--- Species added since last report ---

=====================================

Greater White-fronted Goose

Ross’s Goose

White-winged Scoter

Black Scoter

Pacific Loon

Red-necked Grebe

Glaucous Gull

Short-eared Owl

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Lapland Longspur (2 locations)

=====================================

--- Species previously reported ---

Franklin’s Gull (2 new locations)

Western Kingbird (new location)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please note: Species CAPITALIZED above are on the Alabama Bird Records Committee review list. Check the AOS website (address below - look in ABRC section) for forms and suggestions on how to submit your sightings of these species to the state database.

Written details, photos, recordings, etc. are highly desired for ABRC Review List species and should be sent to:

Greg D. Jackson

2220 Baneberry Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244

g_d_jackson@bellsouth.net

Fax: 205/987-5167

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alabama Ornithological Society website:

http://www.bham.net/aos/

Alabama RBA archives:

http://www.tvas.org/rba.htm

NABT = North Alabama Birding Trail (http://www.northalabamabirdingtrail.com/)

ACBT = Alabama Coastal Birding Trail (http://www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com/)

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert

Date: December 3, 2006

Number: 256/751-4788

Compiler: Steve W. McConnell

Email: swmavocet@aol.com

NOTE: Where possible, DeLorme Alabama Atlas coordinates [DeAL xx-xx] are provided following each site description. Page references to the AOS Birder's Guide to Alabama [BGtA p. xx] will also be included for birding locations sites described therein.

Alabama Rare Bird Report – Sunday, December 3, 2006.

Birding has been very good recently in Guntersville with the arrival of many waterfowl and other waterbirds. Early on the morning of 12/2 an adult RED-NECKED GREBE was seen on the river channel north of Lurleen Wallace Drive and the Kiwanas Pier between US 431 and AL 69. This rarity lingered long enough for photographs before slipping away. Several searches later in the day failed to relocate it. The female BLACK SCOTER seen from this same vantage point 11/27 has so far not been relocated. Later in the morning a first winter GLAUCOUS GULL was found feeding among the large coot rafts out from Sunset Drive near the boat ramp at the east end of AL 69. Also a PACIFIC LOON was with many Commons just north of the AL 69 causeway bridge. [DeAL 25-A&B10][BGtA p. 258].

Three WESTERN KINGBIRDS, present for a couple weeks, continued 11/27 in the field behind Ft. Gaines on the east end of Dauphin Island. Earlier in November a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was keeping company with his ‘tail-challenged’ cousins. [DeAL 64-B3&4][BGtA p. 6-12]

A first winter FRANKLIN’S GULL was found 12/2 lounging on the beach with Laughing Gulls at Perdido Pass southeast of Orange Beach in Baldwin County. [DeAL 64-E4][BGtA p. 31]

1-2 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were present in late November at the water treatment pond across from Draper Prison in Elmore County northeast of Montgomery. The last positive report I have was from 11/22. The prison is located adjacent to AL 143 southeast of Speigner. NOTE: This is a sensitive area and you may be approached by prison guards if you act suspiciously or point your optics toward the prison. Bottomline: Please be on your best birding behavior so we don’t lose access to this interesting area. View the ponds from the roadside ONLY! [DeAL 45-B7]

A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED and a ROSS’S GOOSE were discovered 11/27 at Colbert Ferry Park at the south end of the Natchez Trace Parkway bridge over the Tennessee River. [DeAL 16-C4][BGtA p. 222]

An adult FRANKLIN’S GULL was present 11/24 at Wilson Dam. [DeAL 17-C7][BGtA p. 213]

At least two LAPLAND LONGSPURS were with pipits and larks 11/24 over fields near Key Cave NWR west of Florence. [DeAL 16-D5][BGtA p. 229] A small flock of at least ten LAPLANDS was found 11/23 about 0.3 mile east of US 31 near Limestone County 6 (aka Garrett Road). [DeAL 18-E4]

A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen 11/28 northeast of Courtland in Lawrence County. From County 150 south of the paper plant, follow County 400 east over the Spring Creek crossing and turn right on the first dirt/gravel road. At the top of the hill, the road curves left. The owl was seen flying over the corn field on the left, and flew into the tree line on the right when approached. WARNING: even though this is a maintained county road is can be very muddy in wet weather and severely rutted otherwise and may require a 4x4 vehicle. [DeAL 18-D1]

The following may be called for information:

Alabama Ornithological Society: Stan Hamilton (205/951-5630)

Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center hotline: (205/621-3333)

Please leave messages about new birds and feedback on reported species after the tone. Sighting information, and requests for regular email transcripts, can be submitted by email to:

swmavocet@aol.com

Thank you.

-End Transcript
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